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Revision difference : arithmetic-geometric mean
Version 3 Version 2
If $x$ and $y$ are non-negative real numbers, we can form their arithmetic If $x$ and $y$ are non-negative real numbers, we can form their arithmetic
mean $a_0 = (x+y)/2$ as well as their geometric mean $g_0 = \sqrt{xy}$. mean $a_0 = (x+y)/2$ as well as their geometic mean $g_0 = \sqrt{xy}$.
This procedure can be repeated to form a sequence of arithmetic and This procedure can be repeated to form a sequence of arithmetic and
geometic means $a_{n+1} = (a_n+g_n)/2$ and $g_{n+1} = \sqrt{a_n g_n}$. geometic means $a_{n+1} = (a_n+g_n)/2$ and $g_{n+1} = \sqrt{a_n g_n}$.
By the arithmetic-geometric means inequality we have $a_n \ge a_{n+1} \ge g_{n+1} \ge g_n$ (with equality holding only when $a_n=g_n$), By the arithmetic-geometric means inequality we have $a_n \ge a_{n+1} \ge g_{n+1} \ge g_n$ (with equality holding only when $a_n=g_n$),
hence these sequences converge to a number between $x$ and $y$, hence these sequences converge to a number between $x$ and $y$,
with the rate of convergence being \PMlinkname{linear}{LinearConvergence}. with the rate of convergence being \PMlinkname{linear}{LinearConvergence}.
The \emph{arithmetic-geometric mean} $M(x,y)$ of $x$ and $y$ The \emph{arithmetic-geometric mean} $M(x,y)$ of $x$ and $y$
is defined as this limit is defined as this limit
\begin{equation*} \begin{equation*}
M(x,y) = \lim_{n\to\oo} a_n, g_n. M(x,y) = \lim_{n\to\oo} a_n, g_n.
\end{equation*} \end{equation*}
The origin of the name is obvious from the construction. Alternative notations The origin of the name is obvious from the construction. Alternative notations
for $M(x,y)$ are $\agm(x,y)$ or $\AGM(x,y)$. for $M(x,y)$ are $\agm(x,y)$ or $\AGM(x,y)$.
The AGM lies between the arithmetic and geometric The AGM lies between the arithmetic and geometric
means of $x$ and $y$, means of $x$ and $y$,
\begin{equation*} \begin{equation*}
\frac{x+y}{2} \ge M(x,y) \ge \sqrt{xy}, \frac{x+y}{2} \ge M(x,y) \ge \sqrt{xy},
\end{equation*} \end{equation*}
with equality holding only in case of equality $x=y$. The AGM is also a with equality holding only in case of equality $x=y$. The AGM is also a
homogeneous function of degree $1$, namely $M(\alpha x, \alpha y) homogeneous function of degree $1$, namely $M(\alpha x, \alpha y)
= \alpha M(x,y)$ for $\alpha > 0$. It is also symmetric $M(x,y) = M(y,x)$. = \alpha M(x,y)$ for $\alpha > 0$. It is also symmetric $M(x,y) = M(y,x)$.
These properties are obvious from the construction. These properties are obvious from the construction.
The AGM can be used to numerically evaluate elliptic integrals of the The AGM can be used to numerically evaluate elliptic integrals of the
first and second kinds. For example, first and second kinds. For example,
\begin{equation} \begin{equation}
M(x,y) = \frac{\pi}{4} \frac{x+y}{K\left(\frac{|x-y|}{x+y}\right)}, M(x,y) = \frac{\pi}{4} \frac{x+y}{K\left(\frac{|x-y|}{x+y}\right)},
\end{equation} \end{equation}
where $K(k)$ is the elliptic integral of the first kind as function of where $K(k)$ is the elliptic integral of the first kind as function of
the modulus $k$. the modulus $k$.